Oral Submucous Fibrosis In A 2-Year-Old Girl Due To Chewing Bidi Stubs

Abstract A 2-year-old girl, complaining of a gradual increase in the restriction of the mouth opening for 3 months, was referred to the Otolaryngologists based on background history of recurrent oral ulcers. The local examination showed the presence of oral ulcers on the cheek in addition to abnormal oral mucosa which appeared blanched, opaque and fibrotic. This was clinically diagnosed as Oral Submucous Fibrosis, owing to classical presentation and the lack of systemic features. A detailed social and family history revealed that the father of the child used to smoke BIDI, a traditional form of nonfiltered cigarette. The child used to play with the burnt stubs and keep them in her mouth, chewing them for long durations. This was assumed to be the aetiological factor behind the development of the pathology, in absence of any other contributing factors. The patient was treated conservatively, and symptomatic improvement was noted on follow-up. This is the youngest reported patient with OSMF, and this case history brought an unusual aetiological factor to the fore.